And then there was one. In the best season for rookie quarterbacks in NFL history, a gunslinger from the West—the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson—is the last man standing.

Going into the season, Wilson wasn’t considered to be in the same class as the 1-2 punch at the top of the draft, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. But the quarterback underestimated as a third-round flyweight is still scrapping away in the divisional playoffs.

While Wilson outdueled the banged-up Griffin as a passer (15-for-26, 187 yards, TD, 92.9 rating) and runner (eight carries, 67 yards) in Seattle’s hard-fought 24-14 win at Washington, Luck had just been belted on the Beltway in a 24-9 loss at Baltimore. Griffin’s magical run came to a crashing end amid another injury concern, and the abuse Luck took all season behind the Colts’ shaky offensive line finally caught up to him.

Then there’s Wilson, who was near-flawless and fearless, despite an oft-blitzing Redskins defense sacking him five times. In the end, the 5-foot-11, 207-pound Wilson did more effective counter-punching with his arm and legs.

Wilson's reward was his first career playoff win and another playoff road game, next Sunday in Atlanta. He now has more career playoff wins than Matt Ryan and as many as Matt Schaub. Looking at the seven other quarterbacks still playing, Wilson has had a direct hand in beating three of them in the regular season—Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Colin Kaepernick.

Wilson started his rookie season as more of a caretaker type with running back Marshawn Lynch carrying the burden of moving the ball. But as the Seahawks loosened the reins, and the big plays started coming, Wilson grew confident with each passing week, to the point he no longer is out of place among the league’s more established top quarterbacks.

The fact Wilson is still deemed undersized is becoming more irrelevant because he’s doing the little things the greats do right. He doesn’t panic, makes good decisions and few mistakes. Watching him calmly operate against Washington in a hostile environment, there was no such thing as playoff inexperience.

Put Wilson in a lineup with the other playoff quarterbacks and it’s misleading. Joe Flacco is the tallest at 6-6. Schaub and Peyton Manning are 6-5. Ryan, Brady and Kaepernick are all 6-4. Even Rodgers, at 6-2, has a good three inches on Wilson.

But then you look up at the passer ratings, and of the quarterbacks left, only Rodgers (108.0) and Manning (105.8) were more efficient than Wilson (100.0) in the regular season. That eye test tells you he measures up with the veterans, and then some.

Throwing for 26 touchdowns vs. 10 interceptions are the numbers you expect from a winning playoff quarterback. That’s not even factoring in Wilson’s running, which has become a much bigger factor over the past six games, all resounding Seattle victories.

For so much talk of who was better as a rookie, Griffin III or Luck, Wilson is the one who trumped them both, and was worthiest of stacking up with the divisional round heavyweights. Everyone expects Griffin and Luck to be special over the long haul, but Wilson has combined the best assets of both rookies to have his dazzling debut endure.

Wilson was the underdog, but he has built up the evidence to suggest he should have been a favorite all along.

INJURY UPDATE

Seahawks DE Chris Clemons (knee). This is a big concern for Seattle’s defense against Ryan and the Falcons’ elite passing game. It is feared Clemons, who led the team with 11.5 sacks through a most durable regular season, has a serious injury. If so, it will be up to rookie Bruce Irvin and others to help dial up the pass rush.

Ravens LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle). While Ray Lewis made his triumphant return to Baltimore’s linebacker corps, Ellerbe kept up his strong play with eight tackles and a few pressures on the Colts’ Andrew Luck. The sprain caused him to leave the wild-card game. Baltimore needs him back in the lineup against Peyton Manning and the Broncos.

Packers TE Jermichael Finley (shoulder). Finley got banged up in the win over the Vikings, but coach Mike McCarthy said he should be ready to go against the 49ers. Given the Finley has become more involved as an underneath receiver, that’s good news for Rodgers.

Redskins QB Robert Griffin III (knee). Unfortunately, Wilson’s joy was offset by Griffin’s pain. Let’s hope the dangerous late-season ride of RG3 doesn’t have long-term effects, and he comes back savvier and stronger in his second year.